Balancing Chemical Equations

Front

What is a chemical equation?

Back

A representation of a chemical reaction using symbols and formulas to show the reactants and products.

Front

What is a coefficient in a chemical equation?

Back

A number placed in front of a chemical formula to indicate how many molecules or moles of that substance are involved in the reaction.

Front

What is a subscript in a chemical formula?

Back

A small number written after an element symbol that indicates the number of atoms of that element in a molecule.

Front

What is the Law of Conservation of Mass?

Back

The principle stating that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction; the mass of reactants equals the mass of products.

Front

What type of reaction is represented by the equation: 2HI → H2 + I2?

Back

Decomposition reaction.

Front

What type of reaction is represented by the equation: CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O?

Back

Combustion reaction.

Front

How do you balance a chemical equation?

Back

By adjusting the coefficients in front of the chemical formulas to ensure the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.

Front

What is the difference between a reactant and a product?

Back

Reactants are substances that undergo a chemical change, while products are the substances formed as a result of the reaction.

Front

What is a synthesis reaction?

Back

A type of chemical reaction where two or more simple substances combine to form a more complex product.

Front

What is a single replacement reaction?

Back

A reaction where one element replaces another element in a compound.